Will Mbappe Surpass Henry’s France Goalscoring Record?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Kylian Mbappe has equaled Thierry Henry's record for France.
- He scored his 51st international goal in a victory over Ukraine.
- France is aiming for direct qualification for the 2026 World Cup.
- Ousmane Dembele's injury raises concerns for PSG's upcoming matches.
- Mbappe shows determination to continue winning and achieving more milestones.
New Delhi, Sep 6 (NationPress) Kylian Mbappe has matched the iconic forward Thierry Henry’s record, becoming the second-highest scorer in the history of French football.
France solidified their standing in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers with a 2-0 triumph over Ukraine, highlighted by Mbappe’s significant achievement. The Madrid striker scored in the 82nd minute, finishing a stunning long pass from Aurélien Tchouaméni. With a burst of speed past his defender, Mbappe unleashed a powerful shot that struck the post and secured the victory.
"It’s a privilege to match a player of Thierry Henry’s caliber. His impact on us French is monumental, especially for forwards. He blazed a trail and accomplished remarkable feats. I hold immense respect and admiration for him. Reaching this milestone at such an early stage feels surreal, but I cherish it and am eager to continue. I don’t want to stop – primarily, I aim to keep winning games and collecting more titles,” remarked Kylian Mbappe to TF1.
Earlier in the match, Michael Olise put France ahead in the 10th minute, setting the stage for a commanding performance. However, the evening was truly about Mbappe, whose goal held historical importance. With his 51st international goal, he matched Henry as the second-highest scorer in France’s history, inching closer to Olivier Giroud’s record of 57 goals.
Mbappe played the full match, demonstrating his crucial role in Didier Deschamps’ squad. This victory further bolsters France’s aspirations for direct qualification for the World Cup in North America.
In concerning news, Ousmane Dembele, forward for both France and Paris Saint Germain, was substituted due to what appeared to be a hamstring injury. Dembele had been rested by PSG as a precaution and had returned to training with the national team. His injury comes just two weeks prior to the start of PSG’s UCL title defense.